Thinking of You…

By Regina's Maternal Grandmother: Mrs. Jeanne Urbano

My dear sweet Regina

So many happy memories I have of you, too many to count them all.

The first time I saw you at the hospital and saw that beautiful little face, with that dark brown mop of hair, you captured my heart. I couldn’t wait to hold you and cuddle and kiss you.

When we all lived in Connecticut I would try to stop by your house after work to see you. That ‘s when you started sucking not one, but two little fingers, what a cutie-patootie!

When your mom started working a few hours a week Poppy was elected to baby-sit for an hour or so until I would get home from work to take over. That’s when it would be time to feed you. I would sit you in the high chair and try to heat your food as fast as I could because you weren’t very patient. Once I started to feed you, I could hardly keep up. That little mouth, wide open was always ready before I was.

It seems as if time flew by so quickly. I’d watch you and your older brother while you played in my back yard. I can still picture both of you running and climbing that big bolder. You’d try and try to get up on that bolder. You’d try so many times your older brother would finally end up giving your little butt a push to help you to the top.

What a pair the two of you were. When I would baby-sit you, I dreaded the moment I heard the words, “lets play garbage.” That meant everything in sight, including couch pillows, blankets, toys, and books got piled high. What a nightmare! And a mess!

The years passed much too fast. Sometimes you would sleep over on the weekend and the next morning, after a pancake breakfast, you’d play dress up. You’d cover yourself not only with any outfit you could find, but also with all my costume jewelry. Like an Indian princess the jewels hung from your head down to your toes.

Pops and I looked forward to Christmas knowing you would set up and decorate our Christmas tree. You were so organized. I chuckle when I remember you making trips into the kitchen after every few ornaments for another slice of homemade bread. How I loved you. I made sure to bake a loaf of bread when I knew you would be coming over to our house.   

And oh how proud you made us. We loved coming to all your events, your piano recitals, your dance recitals, your swim meets; and it was even worth sneezing and sneezing to watch you ride your horse. I prayed and held my breath every time I watched you and Sheik do jumps. You did it so beautifully, that when it was over, I felt silly for worrying.

Then there were our outings to the mall. I’d tell you, “Regina, don’t let me buy any shoes,” and you would drag me away from the shoe department (even though shoes were your weakness too). Then as we walked through the mall, all you’d say, even before we got near the stand was, “I smell pretzels;” knowing I’d buy pretzels for all of us.

I think about the summers at the beach house and how you would sit on the dock while talking for hours on the phone until your cousins and friends would come to pick you up to go to the beach, or to Bay Village, or to just hang out together and have fun.

When Pops took you blueberry picking, he’d come home and say you ate almost as many as you picked. You never believed him when he told you the man at the blueberry farm was going to weigh you on the way in and on the way out to see how many blueberries you ate while you were there. When you got home we’d bake a blueberry cobbler. Yummy!

You were so easy to please and so easy to love, with your calm manner and your pleasant way; a sweetheart of a grandchild, that I cherish. I love you! Not a day goes by that you are not in my thoughts and prayers. I miss you!       

All my love,

Nan   

Mrs.  Byrne,

I  just happened upon Regina's site while surfing and wanted to tell you what a lovely child you had. She must have had a lot of love surrounding her. My best to you and your family.-I can imagine this still must be very difficult.

Patricia Hill

Dearest Lauren, 

I am praying that God's gracious love will be evident to you and your family today in very unique and intimate ways in the coming days as Regina's "Homegoing anniversary" draws near.  May the Holy Spirit bear strong witness in your soul that the grief you feel is shared by Christ Himself and that each and every tear that falls from your eyes is precious to God.  These very tears are a sacrifice of praise to Him when words fail. 

Father, as Lauren's heart is overwhelmed; hear her cry, take her hand and lead her to You, the 'rock of ages' that is higher than any created thing - revive her according to Your Word.  My friend, may you draw courage in the promise that when your flesh and your heart fail, God Himself is the strength of your heart and your portion forever.   Lord, be a very present help to her and her family and rescue them in their waves of grief. 

Thank you God, that You guided Regina with Your counsel and received her into Your glorious light on her appointed day. For Christ is indeed risen from the dead....so in Christ, your beloved Regina has been made alive.   Thank you Savior, that her death has been swallowed up in victory!  O Death, where is your sting?  Thanks be to God, who gave Regina the victory over death through her Lord Jesus Christ.  

Finally, thank you Jesus, that the Lord anointed You to heal the brokenhearted, to comfort and console Lauren and her family in their mourning; to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; so that they may be trees of righteousness....The planting of the LORD, that YOU may be glorified.

My love to you in Christ,

Dawn

As we approach three years..... I want you to know that my thoughts and prayers still remain with you. I honestly sit here in tears this morning missing Regina.... mostly for what I know our girls had in each other. I still know that Erin does not go too many minutes without having pains about missing her true soul mate. To this date, and I have been witness to many relationships, I have NEVER seen better friends than Regina and Erin. Our girls shared something that few of us are ever really given in life.

I have read Regina's Celebration Website many times. It truly captures what a special person she was and what an amazing impact she made on each and every life she touched. I don't think I could put into words how Regina's friendship has totally shaped Erin's life. Silly as it may sound, I am holding a rock that Erin brought back from New Jersey that simply says "I love Dad" 6-29-02 NJ.

I know how special that trip was..........Erin LOVED Regina's family almost as much as she loved Regina..... really cool stuff!!!

Lauren.... call her.......... she is such an awesome young woman.......and I think Regina had a HUGE part in shaping who she is. Regina lives on in Erin's soul. Experience Erin........ our girls are special....very special!

ALL MY LOVE!

Brien Mullane